Data communication system, data communication apparatus, and data communication method for generating or detecting an event

ABSTRACT

In general, those who are right in front of each other can share actual world events that are generated in the same working space. For example, when an audio or a light of a wave form pattern is generated, by recognizing such an actual world event, both communication apparatuses share the actual world event. Also, a shock wave generated when one communication apparatus is hit with the other is shared by both. One of the communication partners searches a network for a communication partner who is right in front with the actual world event as a clue. Thus, it is possible to perform data communications with a communication partner whose location in the actual world is clear, such as being right in front, but whose identification information in the communication medium is unknown.

Notice: More than one reissue application has been filed for the reissueof U.S. Pat. No. 7,653,655. The reissue applications are U.S. patentapplication Ser. Nos. 14/815,258 (the continuation reissue application),and 13/357,227 (the present, parent reissue application), all of whichare reissues of U.S. Pat. No. 7,653,655.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a data communication system, a datacommunication apparatus and a data communication method for performingdata communications via a communication medium, and relates particularlyto a data communication system, a data communication apparatus and adata communication method for performing data communications with acommunication partner whose identification information in acommunication medium is unknown.

More precisely, the present invention relates to a data communicationsystem, a data communication apparatus and data communication method forperforming data communications with a communication partner whoselocation in the actual world is clear, such as being right in front, butwhose identification information in a communication medium is unknown,and relates particularly to a data communication system, datacommunication apparatus and data communication method for performingdata communications by searching for a communication partner whoselocation in the actual world is clear, such as being right in front, butwhose identification information in a communication medium is unknown.

BACKGROUND ART

In modern times, where information processing technology and informationcommunications technology are highly developed, information devices suchas personal computers and mobile information terminals are ubiquitous inthe actual world such as offices and households. In such an environment,the realization of “ubiquitous computing” where desired information canbe obtained anytime and anywhere by inter-connecting devices isanticipated.

The concept of ubiquitous computing is that the available computerenvironment is the same wherever people move to. In other words, sinceit is “anytime and anywhere,” the ultimate ubiquitous computing does notnecessarily require information terminals such as computers, personaldigital assistants (PDAs), mobile phones and the like, necessarily.

However, when one tries to specify a computer or peripheral device whichis to be a data transmission destination (in other words, a target) in anetwork, or when one tries to obtain information related to an object inthe actual world, even if it is a partner that is right in front, thereis a need to know the name thereof (or resource identificationinformation, such as an ID, network address, host name, URL (UniformResource Locator), that is unique to the device). In other words, withrespect to user operations, computers are only coordinated indirectly,and are lacking in intuitiveness.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention lies in providing a superior datacommunication system, data communication apparatus and datacommunication method, which are capable of performing datacommunications with a communication partner whose identificationinformation in a communication medium is unknown.

A further object of the present invention lies in providing a superiordata communication system, data communication apparatus and datacommunication method, which are capable of suitably performing datacommunications with a communication partner whose location in the actualworld is clear, such as being right in front, but whose identificationinformation in a communication medium is unknown.

A further object of the present invention lies in providing a superiordata communication system, data communication apparatus and datacommunication method, which are capable of performing datacommunications by searching for a communication partner whose locationin the actual world is clear, such as being right in front, but whoseidentification information in a communication medium is unknown.

The present invention is made in consideration of the problems mentionedabove, and the first aspect thereof is a data communication system or adata communication method for performing data communications via a datacommunication medium, the data communication system or the datacommunication method characterized in that it includes,

event generation means or step for generating a unique actual worldevent in which a device, which is to be a communication partner, exists,and for sharing information related to the event with the device that isto be the communication partner, and

searching means or step for specifying the communication partner bysearching the communication medium mentioned above for a device, whichshares the same actual world event.

However, “system” as recited above refers to one in which a plurality ofapparatuses (or functional modules which realize specific functions) arelogically aggregated, regardless as to whether or not the respectiveapparatuses and functional modules exist within a single housing.

A data communication system or a data communication method according tothe first aspect of the present invention is one which makes it possibleto search for a communication partner, whose location in the actualworld is clear, such as being right in front, but whose identificationinformation in the communication medium is unknown, and perform datacommunications.

In general, those who are right in front of each other can share actualworld events that occur in the same working space. For example, whenaudio or a light of a particular wave form pattern is generated in theactual world, by recognizing such actual world events, their informationdevices can share event content information that tells that audio orlight of the same wave form pattern is detected, or event timeinformation that tells that the generation of an event was detected atthe same time. Alternatively, when an actual world event is generatedthrough physical contact, such as hitting one communication apparatuswith the other communication apparatus, they can mutually share eventcontent information comprising shock wave patterns generated uponphysical contact and event time information. In addition, by not givingan actual world event to anyone other than the communication partner,the sharing of the same actual world event may become identificationinformation for specifying the communication partner.

According to a data communication system or a data communication methodrelated to the first aspect of the present invention, by generating aunique actual world event and sharing this between specificcommunication devices, one communication partner can search for thecommunication partner, who is right in front, in a network with theactual world event as a clue.

In addition, the second aspect of the present invention is a datacommunication apparatus or data communication method for specifying acommunication partner via a communication medium and performing datacommunications, the data communication apparatus or data communicationmethod characterized in that it includes,

event generation/detection means or step for generating or detecting anactual world event, and

searching means or step for searching in the communication mediummentioned above for a device that shares the same actual world event andspecifying a communication partner.

A data communication apparatus or a data communication method accordingto the second aspect of the present invention is one which makes itpossible to perform data communications via a communication medium bysearching for a communication partner whose location in the actual worldis clear, such as being right in front, but whose identificationinformation in the communication medium is unknown.

In general, those who are right in front of each other can share actualworld events that occur in the same working space. In addition, by notgiving an actual world event to anyone other than the communicationpartner, the sharing of the same actual world event may becomeidentification information for specifying the communication partner.

According to a data communication system or a data communication methodrelated to the second aspect of the present invention, by detecting anactual world event taking place right in front and searching in anetwork for a device that shares this actual world event, acommunication partner present right in front can be specified in thenetwork.

Further objects, characteristics and advantages of the present inventionshould become apparent from the embodiments of the present inventiondescribed below and from a more detailed description based on theappended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing the basic configuration of adata communication system according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing a modification of the basicconfiguration of the data communication system according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing the hardware configuration ofa data communication apparatus 100 of a type that shares an actual worldevent by audio.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing how two data communication apparatuseshaving a configuration similar to the one shown in FIG. 3 share outputaudio as an actual world event.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing a procedure for network transferring afile between data communication apparatuses using the sharing of anactual world event comprising audio.

FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing the hardware configuration ofa data communication apparatus 100 of a type that shares an actual worldevent by light.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing how output audio as an actual world event isshared between two data communication apparatuses having a configurationsimilar to the one shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing a procedure for network transferring afile between data communication apparatuses using the sharing of anactual world event comprising optical signals.

FIG. 9 is a diagram schematically showing the hardware configuration ofa data communication apparatus 100 of a type that shares an actual worldevent by physical contact with a communication partner.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing how output audio as an actual world even isshared between two data communication apparatuses having a configurationsimilar to the one shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a diagram schematically showing the hardware configuration ofa data communication apparatus 100 of a type that shares an actual worldevent by physical contact with a communication partner.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the configuration of a data communicationsystem according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram schematically showing the hardware configuration ofa wireless module that is provided in order to share events betweeninformation terminals in another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a sequence diagram showing the connection procedure in a casewhere the other embodiment of the present invention is realized usingBluetooth®.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail belowwith reference to the drawings.

The present invention is a data communication system that enables datacommunications to be performed via a communication medium by searchingfor a communication partner whose location in the actual world is clear,such as such as being right in front, but whose identificationinformation in a communication medium is not known.

In general, those who are immediately in front of each other can shareactual world events generated in the same working space. For example,when audio or light of a certain waveform pattern is generated in theactual world, by recognizing such actual world events, theircommunication apparatuses can share event content information that tellsthat audio or light of the same wave form pattern is detected, or eventtime information that tells that the generation of an event was detectedat the same-time. Alternatively, when an actual world event comprisingphysical contact, such as one communication apparatus hitting the othercommunication apparatus, is generated, event content informationcomprising the same shock wave pattern and event time information can bemutually shared. In addition, by not giving an actual world event toanyone other than the communication partner, the sharing of the sameactual world event may become identification information for specifyingthe communication partner. The data communication system according tothe present invention is one that searches a network for a communicationpartner located immediately in front with an actual world event sharedbetween communication devices as a clue.

In FIG. 1, the basic configuration of a data communication systemaccording to the present invention is shown schematically. In theexample shown in the same drawing, two data communication apparatuses Aand B, which are to be communication partners, are mutually connectedvia a network. The respective data communication apparatuses A and B arein front of each other and can share actual world events generated inthe same work space. However, it is assumed that the respective datacommunication apparatuses do not know the network identificationinformation (IP addresses and the like) of each other at all.

At a certain time, one data communication apparatus A generates anactual world event, whose uniqueness is insured within at least the sameworking space (refer to FIG. 1(a)). A unique actual world event asmentioned above may utilize audio or visible light that has the samewave form pattern, or a shock wave obtained by applying a physicalcontact such as hitting the data communication apparatus B with the datacommunication apparatus A, and the like.

In such a case, since the data communication apparatus B locatedimmediately in front of the data communication, apparatus A can observethe actual world event, the data communication apparatuses A and B canshare the same actual world event (Refer to FIG. 1(b)). Here, the datacommunication apparatus A stores the content of the actual world eventit generated itself (for example, the wave form pattern of the generatedaudio or light, or the wave form pattern of the shock wave and the like)and the time at which the actual world event was generated. Also, thedata communication apparatus B similarly stores the content of theactual world event it observed itself and the observation time thereof.

Thereafter, the data communication apparatus A is able to find the datacommunication apparatus B as a desired communication partner bysearching a network for a data communication apparatus that shares thesame actual world event based on the content information of the actualworld event that it stores itself and/or the time information thereof(refer to FIG. 1(c)). The search in the network can be realized, forexample, by broadcasting an inquiry including, for example, the contentinformation and the time information of the actual world event on thenetwork. Of course, a communication partner sharing the actual worldevent may be searched for by a communication scheme other thanbroadcasting.

Such an operation for searching for a communication partner may bestarted immediately after the generation of the actual world event. Ofcourse, even if it is after a considerable period of time has elapsed,so long as it is while the actual world event is stored, it may beexecuted any time.

Also, instead of having the data communication apparatus A side thatgenerated the actual world event perform it, the data communicationapparatus B that observed the actual world event may perform the search.In other words, any data communication apparatus that shares the actualworld event can specify a communication partner based on the actualworld event.

Also, in FIG. 2, a modification of the basic configuration of a datacommunication system according to the present invention is shownschematically. In the example shown in the same drawing, two datacommunication apparatuses A and B, which are to be communicationpartners, are interconnected via a network. The respective datacommunication apparatuses A and B are in front of each other and canshare actual world events generated in a work space. However, it isassumed that the respective data communication apparatuses do not knowthe network identification information (IP addresses and the like) ofeach other at all.

The point that is different from the data communication system shown inFIG. 1 is the fact that an apparatus other than the data communicationsystem that performs data communications generates the actual worldevent, and that the data communication apparatuses A and B share it. Inother words, an actual world event generating apparatus generates theactual world event whose uniqueness is insured within at least the sameworking space (refer to FIG. 2(a)). The unique actual world event asreferred to above may be audio or visible light having the same waveform pattern.

In such a case, since the data communication apparatuses A and B locatedwithin the same working space can observe actual world events, they canshare the same actual world event (refer to FIG. 2(b)). The datacommunication apparatuses A and B each store the contents of the actualworld events it observes itself and observation times thereof.

Thereafter, the data communication apparatus A can find the datacommunication apparatus B as a communication partner by searching thenetwork for a data communication apparatus that shares the same actualworld event based on the content information of the actual world eventit stores itself and/or the time information thereof (refer to FIG.2(c)). The search in the network can be realized, for example, bybroadcasting an inquiry including the content information and the timeinformation of the actual world event on the network. Of course, acommunication partner sharing the actual world event may be searched forby a communication scheme other than broadcasting.

In FIG. 3, the hardware configuration of a data communication apparatus100 of a type that shares an actual world event comprising audio isshown schematically.

A CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101, which is the main controller of thesystem 100, executes various applications under the control of anoperating system (OS). The CPU 101 can execute, for example, acommunication application and an application program for generating andobserving actual world events, sharing actual world events, andsearching for communication partners using shared actual world events,and the like. As shown in the drawing, the CPU 101 is interconnectedwith other devices and the like (which will be described later) via abus 108.

A memory 102 is a memory apparatus that is used to store program codesexecuted in the CPU 101 and for temporarily holding work data underexecution. It should be understood that the memory 102 shown in the samedrawing includes both a non-volatile memory such as a ROM and the likeand a volatile memory such as a DRAM and the like.

A display controller 103 is a dedicated controller for actuallyprocessing a drawing command issued by the CPU 101. Drawing dataprocessed by the display controller 103 is first written to, forexample, a frame buffer (not shown) and is then outputted on screen by adisplay 111.

An input device interface 104 is an apparatus for connecting user inputdevices such as a keyboard 112, a mouse 113 and the like to the computersystem 100.

A network interface 105 can connect the system 100 to a network such asa LAN (local Area Network) and the like in accordance with apredetermined communications protocol such as Ethernet and the like.

An external device interface 107 is an apparatus for connecting externalapparatuses, such as a hard disk drive (HDD) 114, a media drive 115 andthe like, to the system 100.

The HDD 114 is a (known) external memory apparatus in which a magneticdisk as a memory substrate is fixedly mounted, and it is superior toother external memory apparatuses on points such as memory capacity,data transfer rate and the like. An operation for placing a softwareprogram on the HDD 114 in an executable condition is referred to as an“installation” of the program to the system. Program codes of theoperating system, application programs, device drivers and the like tobe executed by the CPU 101, for example, are stored in a non-volatilecondition in the HDD 114.

Also, the media drive 115 is an apparatus in which a portable mediumsuch as a CD (Compact Disc), an MO (Magneto-Optical disc), a DVD(Digital Versatile Disk) or the like is loaded, and which is foraccessing the data recording surface thereof.

An audio input output interface 120 is an apparatus for externallyoutputting, from a speaker 121, an audio signal comprising apredetermined waveform pattern in accordance with an instruction fromthe CPU 101 for outputting an audio signal, or for importing anexternally generated audio signal as computer data by inputting it via amicrophone 122.

When audio signals are handled as actual world events, it should beunderstood fully that the speaker 121 can function as an actual worldevent generating apparatus and that the microphone 122 can function asan actual world event observing apparatus. Also, many informationprocessing terminals, such as personal computers, come with an audioinput output apparatus comprising a combination of a speaker and amicrophone as standard equipment. Typically, this type of audio inputoutput apparatus is not utilized much. However, as in this embodiment,by handling audio signals as actual world events, it leads to anefficient use of these apparatuses, while at the same time, the sharingof actual world events can be achieved without increasing costs.

In addition, an example of the data communication apparatus 100 as shownin FIG. 3 is a personal computer, such as a compatible machine or asucceeding machine or the like of the personal computer “PC/AT (PersonalComputer/Advanced Technology)” of IBM Corp. (U.S.A.). Of course,information processing terminals having a different architecture, suchas, for example, PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants), mobile phones andthe like, can also be applied as the data communication apparatus 100according to the present embodiment.

In FIG. 4, there is shown a manner in which an output audio as an actualworld event is shared between two data communication apparatuses havinga configuration similar to the one shown in FIG. 3. In the example shownin the same drawing, a data communication apparatus 100A that generatesan actual world event is configured as a small portable informationterminal such as a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) or the like. Also, adata communication apparatus 100B that observes the actual world eventis configured as a personal computer (PC) of a notebook type.

It is assumed that the data communication apparatuses 100A and 100B areowned by the same user or are respectively owned by users in the samegroup and that they are placed in close proximity such that actual worldevents can be shared. Also, although not shown in drawing, the datacommunication apparatuses 100A and 100B can be connected via acommunication medium capable of data communications such as a LAN (LocalArea Network) and the like.

For example, in a case where the data communication apparatus 100A wantsto specify the data communication apparatus 100B as a communicationpartner, when the data communication apparatus 100A outputs an audiocomprising a unique waveform pattern, the other data communicationapparatus 100B is able to detect this. The data communication apparatus100A stores the waveform pattern of the audio it generated itself ascontent information of an actual world event and/or stores the time atwhich it outputted the audio as generation time information of theactual world event. Also, the data communication apparatus 100B storesthe waveform pattern of the audio that it was able to detect as contentinformation of an actual world event, and/or stores the time at whichthe audio was inputted as generation time information of the actualworld event. As a result, between the data communication apparatuses100A and 100B, the sharing of an actual world event is realized.Thereafter, the data communication apparatuses 100A and 100B can use themutually shared actual world event as a clue and thereby search for acommunication partner in the network.

In FIG. 5, there is shown in the form of a flow chart a processingprocedure for network-transferring a file between data communicationapparatuses using the sharing of an actual world event comprising audio.Such a process, in actuality, is realized in a mode that the CPU 101 ofeach of the data communication apparatuses 100A and 100B executes apredetermined application program and performs a cooperative operation.The network transferring process based on the sharing of an actual worldevent will be described below with reference to this flowchart.

A data communication apparatus A as a file transmitting source, namely aPDA (hereafter simply referred to as PDA), activates a file transmissionapplication (Step S1) and selects a transmission file (Step S2) using,for example, a menu screen (not shown) displayed on a display.

Next, an audio signal comprising a unique waveform pattern is outputtedfrom the speaker 121 towards the data communication apparatus 100B,namely a PC, (hereafter simply referred to as PC) which is to be acommunication partner (Step S3).

At this point, the waveform pattern of the audio signal it outputteditself and/or the generation time thereof is stored in the memory 102(Step S4).

Then, the PDA as the file transmitting source, after generating theactual world event comprising the audio signal, attaches the actualworld event content information and/or the time information stored inthe memory 102 to the transmission file selected in step S2, andbroadcasts it on the network (Step S5) and ends the file transmissionprocess.

On the other hand, the PC side, which is a transmission destination ofthe file, activates a file reception application (Step S11) and waitsuntil an audio signal as an actual world event is inputted.

Then, when an audio signal as an actual world event is generated, thisis captured by the microphone 122 (Step S12), the waveform pattern isrecognized, and this is stored in the memory 102 as actual world eventcontent information together with the detected time information (StepS13).

Thereafter, when the file broadcasted via the network is received (StepS14), the actual world event content information and/or the timeinformation attached to the transmission file is extracted, and this iscompared with the actual world event content information and/or the timeinformation it stores itself (Step S15), and it is judged whether or notit shares the same actual world event as the data communicationapparatus of the file transmission source.

If the actual world event content information and/or the timeinformation does not match (Step S16), the same actual world event isnot shared. Thus, it can be judged that the data communication apparatusof the file transmission source is not the correct communication partner(refer to FIG. 1(c)). Hence, the received file is discarded (Step S17).

On the other hand, if the actual world event content information and/orthe time information does match (Step S16), the same actual world eventis shared. Thus, it can be judged that the data communication apparatusof the file transmission source is the correct communication partner(refer to FIG. 1(c)). Hence, the application performs a receivingprocess on the broadcasted file (Step S18).

In addition, although the PDA, which is the file transmission source,also transmits the time information in addition to the actual worldevent content information in order to search for a communication partnerin the network, if uniqueness is sufficiently insured with the actualworld event content information alone, only the actual world eventcontent information need be attached to the transmission file. Ofcourse, if uniqueness is sufficiently insured even with just theinformation on the time at which the actual world event was generated, acommunication partner can be specified by merely attaching the timeinformation.

In FIG. 6, there is shown schematically the hardware configuration ofthe data communication apparatus 100 of a type that shares an actualworld event by optical signal.

The CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101, which is the main controller ofthe system 100, executes various applications under the control of anoperating system (OS). The CPU 101 can execute, for example, acommunication application and an application program for generating andobserving actual world events, sharing actual world events, andsearching for communication partners using shared actual world events,and the like. As shown in the drawing, the CPU 101 is interconnectedwith other devices and the like (which will be described later) via thebus 108.

The memory 102 is a memory apparatus that is used to store program codesexecuted in the CPU 101 and for temporarily holding work data underexecution. It should be understood that the memory 102 shown in the samedrawing includes both a non-volatile memory such as a ROM and the likeand a volatile memory such as a DRAM and the like.

The display controller 103 is a dedicated controller for actuallyprocessing a drawing command issued by the CPU 101. Drawing dataprocessed by the display controller 103 is first written to, forexample, a frame buffer (not shown) and is then outputted on screen bythe display 111.

The input device interface 104 is an apparatus for connecting user inputdevices such as the keyboard 112, the mouse 113 and the like to thecomputer system 100.

The network interface 105 can connect the system 100 to a network suchas a LAN (local Area Network) and the like in accordance with apredetermined communications protocol such as Ethernet and the like.

The external device interface 107 is an apparatus for connectingexternal apparatuses, such as the hard disk drive (HDD) 114, the mediadrive 115 and the like, to the system 100.

The HDD 114 is a (known) external memory apparatus in which a magneticdisk as a memory substrate is fixedly mounted, and it is superior toother external memory apparatuses on points such as memory capacity,data transfer rate and the like. An operation for placing a softwareprogram on the HDD 114 in an executable condition is referred to as an“installation” of the program to the system. Program codes of theoperating system, application programs, device drivers and the like tobe executed by the CPU 101, for example, are stored in a non-volatilecondition in the HDD 114.

Also, the media drive 115 is an apparatus in which a portable mediumsuch as a CD (Compact Disc), an MO (Magneto-Optical disc), a DVD(Digital Versatile Disk) or the like is loaded, and which is foraccessing the data recording surface thereof.

An optical signal input output interface 130 is an apparatus forexternally outputting, from an LED 131, an optical signal comprising apredetermined waveform pattern in accordance with an output instructionof an optical signal from the CPU 101, or importing as computer data anexternally generated optical signal by inputting it via a photodiode132.

When optical signals are handled as actual world events, it should beunderstood fully that the LED 131 can function as an actual world eventgenerating apparatus and that the photodiode 132 can function as anactual world event observing apparatus.

In addition, an example of the data communication apparatus 100 as shownin FIG. 6 is a personal computer, such as a compatible machine or asucceeding machine or the like of the personal computer “PC/AT (PersonalComputer/Advanced Technology)” of IBM Corp. (U.S.A.). Of course,information processing terminals having a different architecture, suchas, for example, PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants), mobile phones andthe like, can also be applied as the data communication apparatus 100according to the present embodiment.

In FIG. 7, there is shown a manner in which an output optical signal asan actual world event is shared between two data communicationapparatuses having a configuration similar to the one shown in FIG. 6.In the example shown in the same drawing, the data communicationapparatus 100A that generates an actual world event is configured as apersonal computer (PC) of a notebook type. Also, the data communicationapparatus 100B that observes the actual world event is configured as asmall portable information terminal such as a PDA (Personal DigitalAssistant) or the like.

It is assumed that the data communication apparatuses 100A and 100B areowned by the same user or are respectively owned by users in the samegroup and that they are placed in close proximity such that actual worldevents can be shared. Also, although not shown in drawing, the datacommunication apparatuses 100A and 100B can be connected via acommunication medium capable of data communications such as a LAN (LocalArea Network) and the like.

For example, in a case where the data communication apparatus 100A wantsto specify the data communication apparatus 100B as a communicationpartner, when the data communication apparatus 100A outputs an opticalsignal comprising a waveform pattern in which a unique data ismodulated, the other data communication apparatus 100B, if it wants tobe a communication partner of the data communication apparatus 100A,observes the actual world event by turning the light receiving surfaceof its own photodiode towards the transmission direction of the light.

The data communication apparatus 100A stores the waveform pattern of theoptical signal it generated itself as content information of an actualworld event and/or stores the time at which it outputted the opticalsignal as generation time information of the actual event. Also, thedata communication apparatus 100B stores the waveform pattern of theoptical signal that it was able to detect as content information of anactual world event, and/or stores the time at which the optical signalwas inputted as generation time information of the actual world event.As a result, between the data communication apparatuses 100A and 100B,the sharing of an actual world event is realized. Thereafter, the datacommunication apparatuses 100A and 100B can use the mutually sharedactual world event as a clue and thereby search for a communicationpartner in the network.

In FIG. 8, there is shown in the form of a flow chart a processingprocedure for network-transferring a file between data communicationapparatuses using the sharing of an actual world event comprising anoptical signal. Such a process, in actuality, is realized in a mode thatthe CPU 101 of each of the data communication apparatuses 100A and 100Bexecutes a predetermined application program and performs a cooperativeoperation. The network transferring process based on the sharing of anactual world event will be described below with reference to thisflowchart.

The data communication apparatus A as a file transmitting source, namelya PC (hereafter simply referred to as PC), activates a file transmissionapplication (Step S21) and selects a transmission file (Step S22) using,for example, a menu screen (not shown) displayed on a display.

Next, an optical signal comprising a unique waveform pattern obtained bymodulation processing a unique data is outputted from the LED131 (StepS23).

At this time, the unique data it outputted itself and/or the generationtime thereof is stored in the memory 102 (Step S24).

Then, the PC serving as the file transmitting source, after generatingthe actual world event comprising the optical signal, attaches theactual world event content information and/or the time informationstored in the memory 102 to the transmission file selected in step S22,and broadcasts it on the network (Step S25) and ends the filetransmission process.

On the other hand, the PDA side, which is a transmission destination ofthe file, activates a file reception application (Step S31), turns thephotodiode to a position at which the optical signal radiated from theLED of the PC side, which is the file transmission source, can be viewed(Step S32) and waits until an optical signal as an actual world event isinputted (Step S33).

Then, when an optical signal as an actual world event is received by thephotodiode, this is decoded and the unique data is extracted, and aftera predetermined error correction is performed (Step S34), this is storedin the memory 102 as actual world event content information togetherwith the detected time information (Step S35).

Thereafter, when the file broadcasted via the network is received (StepS36), the actual world event content information and/or the timeinformation attached to the transmission file is extracted, and this iscompared with the actual world event content information and/or the timeinformation it stores itself (Step S37), and it is judged whether or notit shares the same actual world event as the data communicationapparatus of the file transmission source.

If the actual world event content information and/or the timeinformation does not match (Step S38), the same actual world event isnot shared. Thus, it can be judged that the data communication apparatusof the file transmission source is not the correct communication partner(refer to FIG. 1C). Hence, the received file is discarded (Step S39).

On the other hand, if the actual world event content information and/orthe time information does match (Step S38), the same actual world eventis shared. Thus, it can be judged that the data communication apparatusof the file transmission source is the correct communication partner(refer to FIG. 1C). Hence, the application performs a receiving processon the broadcasted file (Step S40).

In addition, although the PC serving as the file transmission sourcealso transmits the time information in addition to the actual worldevent content information in order to search for a communication partnerin the network, if uniqueness is sufficiently insured with the actualworld event content information alone, only the actual world eventcontent information need be attached to the transmission file. Ofcourse, if uniqueness is sufficiently insured even with just theinformation on the time at which the actual world event was generated, acommunication partner can be specified by merely attaching the timeinformation.

In FIG. 9, there is shown schematically the hardware configuration ofthe data communication apparatus 100 of a type that shares an actualworld event by physical contact with a communication partner, such ashitting one data communication apparatus with another data communicationapparatus.

The CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101, which is the main controller ofthe system 100, executes various applications under the control of anoperating system (OS). The CPU 101 can execute, for example, acommunication application and an application program for generating andobserving actual world events, sharing actual world events, andsearching for communication partners using shared actual world events,and the like. As shown in the drawing, the CPU 101 is interconnectedwith other devices and the like (which will be described later) via thebus 108.

The memory 102 is a memory apparatus that is used to store program codesexecuted in the CPU 101 and for temporarily holding work data underexecution. It should be understood that the memory 102 shown in the samedrawing includes both a non-volatile memory such as a ROM and the likeand a volatile memory such as a DRAM and the like.

The display controller 103 is a dedicated controller for actuallyprocessing a drawing command issued by the CPU 101. Drawing dataprocessed by the display controller 103 is first written to, forexample, a frame buffer (not shown) and is then outputted on screen bythe display 111.

The input device interface 104 is an apparatus for connecting user inputdevices such as the keyboard 112, the mouse 113 and the like to thecomputer system 100.

The network interface 105 can connect the system 100 to a network suchas a LAN (local Area Network) and the like in accordance with apredetermined communications protocol such as Ethernet and the like.

The external device interface 107 is an apparatus for connectingexternal apparatuses, such as the hard disk drive (HDD) 114, the mediadrive 115 and the like, to the system 100.

The HDD 114 is a (known) external memory apparatus in which a magneticdisk as a memory substrate is fixedly mounted, and it is superior toother external memory apparatuses on points such as memory capacity,data transfer rate and the like. Placing a software program on the HDD114 in an executable condition is referred to as an “installation” ofthe program to the system. Program codes of the operating system,application programs, device drivers and the like to be executed by theCPU 101, for example, are stored in a non-volatile condition in the HDD114.

Also, the media drive 115 is an apparatus in which a portable mediumsuch as a CD (Compact Disc), an MO (Magneto-Optical disc), a DVD(Digital Versatile Disk) or the like is loaded, and which is foraccessing the data recording surface thereof.

A shock wave detector 141 converts a wave form pattern of a shock wavegenerated when physical contact is applied to the body of the datacommunication apparatus 100 into an electric signal and outputs it. Ashock wave input interface 140 is an apparatus for importing a shockwave pattern detected by the shock wave detector 141 as computer data byinputting it. The shock wave detector 141 can be configured, forexample, with a combination of a magnet and a magnet detector (amagnetic head, a hall element, a small inductance) placed oppositethereto. Alternatively, a piezo-element for converting vibration intoelectric signals can be used.

It is possible to handle physical contact with a communication partner,such as hitting one data communication apparatus with another datacommunication partner and the like, as an actual world event. In such acase, it should be understood fully that the shock wave detector 141 canfunction as an actual world event observing apparatus.

In addition, an example of the data communication apparatus 100 as shownin FIG. 9 is a personal computer, such as a compatible machine or asucceeding machine or the like of the personal computer “PC/AT (PersonalComputer/Advanced Technology)” of IBM Corp., U.S.A. Of course,information processing terminals having a different architecture, suchas, for example, PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants), mobile phones andthe like, can also be applied as the data communication apparatus 100according to the present embodiment.

In FIG. 10, there is shown a manner in which an output audio as anactual world event is shared between two data communication apparatuseshaving a configuration similar to the one shown in FIG. 9. In theexample shown in the same drawing, the data communication apparatus 100Athat generates an actual world event is configured as a small portableinformation terminal such as a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) or thelike. Also, the data communication apparatus 100B that observes theactual world event is configured as a personal computer (PC) of anotebook type.

It is assumed that the data communication apparatuses 100A and 100B areowned by the same user or are respectively owned by users in the samegroup and that they are placed in close proximity such that actual worldevents can be shared. Also, although not shown in drawing, the datacommunication apparatuses 100A and 100B can be connected via acommunication medium capable of data communications such as a LAN (LocalArea Network) and the like.

For example, in a case where the data communication apparatus 100A wantsto specify the data communication apparatus 100B as a communicationpartner, the user holds the data communication apparatus 100A in hishand, and applies a physical contact such as hitting the other datacommunication apparatus 100B. Each of the data communication apparatuses100A and 100B stores the waveform pattern of a shock wave generated bythe physical contact as content information of an actual world eventand/or stores the time at which the physical contact occurred as thegeneration time information of the actual world event. As a result,between the data communication apparatuses 100A and 100B, the sharing ofan actual world event is realized. Thereafter, the data communicationapparatuses 100A and 100B can use the mutually shared actual world eventas a clue and thereby search for a communication partner in the network.

In FIG. 11, there is shown in the form of a flow chart a processingprocedure for network-transferring a file between data communicationapparatuses using the sharing of an actual world event comprisingphysical contact between apparatuses. Such a process, in actuality, isrealized in a mode that the CPU 101 of each of the data communicationapparatuses 100A and 100B executes a predetermined application programand performs a cooperative operation. The network transferring processbased on the sharing of an actual world event will be described belowwith reference to this flowchart.

The data communication apparatus A as a file transmitting source, namelya PDA (hereafter simply referred to as PDA), activates a filetransmission application (Step S41) and selects a transmission file(Step S42) using, for example, a menu screen (not shown) displayed on adisplay.

Next, the user generates physical contact between apparatuses (Step 43),such as taking the data communication apparatus 100A that is to becomethe file transmission source, namely the PDA (hereafter simply referredto as PDA), in his hand and hitting the data communication apparatus100B that is to be a file transmission destination, namely a PC(hereafter simply referred to as PC).

When such physical contact is generated, a shock wave is generated onthe PDA side. The shock wave detector 141 converts the wave form patternof this shock wave into electric signals. Then, this wave form patternand/or the generation time of the physical contact is stored in thememory 102 (Step S44).

Then, the PDA as the file transmission source, after generating theactual world event comprising the audio signal, attaches the actualworld event content information and/or the time information stored inthe memory 102 to the transmission file selected in step S42, andbroadcasts it on the network (Step S45) and ends the file transmissionprocess.

On the other hand, the PC side, which is a transmission destination ofthe file, activates a file reception application (Step S51), and waitsuntil physical contact as an actual world event is inputted.

Then, when physical contact as an actual world event is generated, thisis imported by the shock wave detector 141 (Step S52), the wave formpattern is recognized, and this is stored in the memory 102 as actualworld event content information together with the detected timeinformation (Step S53).

Thereafter, when the file broadcasted via the network is received (StepS54), the actual world event content information and/or the timeinformation attached to the transmission file is extracted, and this iscompared with the actual world event content information and/or the timeinformation it stores itself (Step S55), and it is judged whether or notit shares the same actual world event as the data communicationapparatus of the file transmission source.

If the actual world event content information and/or the timeinformation does not match (Step S56), the same actual world event isnot shared. Thus, it can be judged that the data communication apparatusof the file transmission source is not the correct communication partner(refer to FIG. 1(c)). Hence, the received file is discarded (Step S57).

On the other hand, if the actual world event content information and/orthe time information does match (Step S56), the same actual world eventis shared. Thus, it can be judged that the data communication apparatusof the file transmission source is the correct communication partner(refer to FIG. 1(c)). Hence, the application performs a receivingprocess on the broadcasted file (Step S58).

In addition, although the PDA as the file transmission source alsotransmits the time information in addition to the actual world eventcontent information in order to search for a communication partner inthe network, if uniqueness is sufficiently insured with the actual worldevent content information alone, only the actual world event contentinformation need be attached to the transmission file. Of course, ifuniqueness is sufficiently insured even with just the information on thetime at which the actual world event was generated, a communicationpartner can be specified by merely attaching the time information.

Next, as another embodiment of the data communication system forperforming data communications via a communication medium by searchingfor a communication partner whose identification information in thecommunication medium is not known, but whose location in the actualworld is clear, such as being right in front, a communication systembuilt between a personal computer (PC) and PDAs (Personal DigitalAssistants) located close thereto will be described below.

In FIG. 12, there is shown a data communication system configured with aPC and a PDA. In the above-mentioned embodiments, actual world eventssuch as audio, optical signals, shock waves and the like are sharedbetween neighboring information terminals. However, in the embodimentshown in FIG. 12, each of the information terminals has a wirelessmodule, and is configured such that events are shared via a wirelesscommunication interface.

In FIG. 13, there is shown schematically the hardware configuration of awireless module 201 that is provided for the sharing of events betweeninformation terminals. As shown in the same drawing, the wireless module201 has a wireless control section 202, a base band processing section203 and a modulation demodulation processing section 204.

A transmission signal is transmitted from an antenna 208 via a poweramplifier 206 after being processed by the wireless control section 202,the base band processing section 203 and the modulation demodulationprocessing section 204.

The power amplifier 206 can control the gain through the wirelesscontrol section 202, and can control transmission output from outsidethe wireless module via the wireless control section 202.

For this, a variation in which, instead of the control of the output bythe power amplifier 206, the amplitude of an output signal is changed bythe base band processing section 203 or the modulation demodulationprocessing section 204 is also possible.

In the present embodiment, by controlling the output power, since thereaching range of radio waves can be made variable, it becomes possibleto control the communicable area. Thus, wireless communications, inwhich the communicable area is varied depending on the case, such asshort range communications in which communication subjects are limitedto a very short range, relatively long range communications in which themaximum possible output is used, and the like.

In FIG. 14, there is shown a sequence of a connecting procedure when thepresent embodiment is realized using Bluetooth.

A PDA is periodically performing an inquiry (X2) in a very low powermode (X1). On the other hand, on the PC side, an inquiry scan isconstantly performed (Y1).

Since the PDA side is performing inquiries with a very low power, theradio wave does not usually reach the PC.

Here, if the distance between the PDA and the PC is shortened by a useror for some other reason, the PC finds the inquiry signal of the PDA andreturns a response signal called an FHS packet (Y2, Y16). Someinformation necessary for a connection request, such as the Bluetoothdevice address (a device address uniquely assigned to each Bluetoothmodule) of itself and the like is included in this FHS packet.

By performing a connection request specifying the Bluetooth deviceaddress of the PC (X5, X17), a data link is established between the PDAand the PC (X18).

The PDA transmits a character string for device authentication called aPIN code while still in the very low power mode in order to insuresecurity (X26, X27).

The PC transmits to the PDA an image that is stored in advance whichshows the appearance of itself (the PC) (Y14, Y19).

In this procedure, in order to further insure security, it is alsopossible to use public key encryption, such as, for example, having thePC that is to receive the transmission of the PIN code transmit a publickey to the PDA in advance, and transmitting the PIN code from the PDA tothe PC after encryption is performed therewith.

Here, the PDA disconnects the link (X6, X20 and X21). However, even ifthe link is not disconnected, there is no problem with the followingprocedure. Thus, the disconnection of the link is not essential.

From this point, the PDA ends the very low power mode, and performstransmission in a normal power mode (X24).

Next, in order to confirm a partner device, the partner device imageobtained from the above-mentioned procedure is outputted to a displaysection, and a connection request is performed to the partner device(X8, X22).

Here, if there is a plurality of choices of partner devices, a pluralityof these partner device images is displayed, and the selecting of apartner device can be done accurately by making the user choosetherefrom (X25).

In addition, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 12 to 14, it is alsopossible to realize a method where data in which a voice guide relatedto the machine itself is recorded is sent instead of the image of itselfto be transmitted to the partner device. This is effective particularlyfor a device which does not have the capability to display an image of asufficiently high level.

Supplement

Hereinabove, the present invention has been described in detail withreference to specific embodiments. However, it is obvious that thoseskilled in the art would be able to modify or substitute the embodimentsmentioned above within an extent that does not depart from the scope ofthe present invention. In other words, the present invention has beendisclosed in the form of examples, and should not be construed as beinglimiting. In determining the scope of the present invention, the sectionof the scope of claims should be considered.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

According to the present invention, a data communication system, a datacommunication apparatus and a data communication method which aresuperior and which are capable of performing data communications with acommunication partner whose identification information in acommunication medium is unknown can be provided.

In addition, according to the present invention, a data communicationsystem, a data communication apparatus and a data communication methodwhich are superior and which are capable of suitably performing datacommunications with a communication partner whose location in the actualworld is clear, such as being right in front, but whose identificationinformation in a communication medium is unknown can be provided.

In addition, according to the present invention, a data communicationsystem, a data communication apparatus and a data communication methodwhich are superior and which are capable of performing datacommunications by searching for a communication partner whose locationin the actual world is clear, such as being right in front, but whoseidentification information in a communication medium is unknown can beprovided.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A data communication system forestablishing data communications between a first device and a seconddevice via a communication medium, wherein: the first device comprises:a processor and a memory; a file transmission application for selectinga file for transmission; a first event generating means for generatingan actual world event and a first event detecting means for detecting anactual world event, wherein the second device exists in a same space asthe first device, and the actual world event is generated and detectedin the same space; and a first storing means for storing a first recordof the actual world event, the first record including a set of wavepatterns of the actual world event or a set of waveform patterns of theactual world event and an observation time of the actual world event,wherein the first device applies the actual world event to the seconddevice in order to specify the second device as a communication partner;and the second device comprises: a processor and a memory; a secondevent detecting means for detecting the actual world event; and a secondstoring means for storing a second record of the actual world eventdetected by the second event detecting means, the second recordincluding the set of wave patterns of the actual world event or the setof waveform patterns of the actual world event and the observation timeof the actual world event; wherein specifying the second device as thecommunication partner comprises the first device searching for thesecond device storing a record including the same one or more wavepatterns or waveform patterns or the same observation time as the firstrecord, and wherein the second device receives the file if the wavepatterns or the waveform patterns or the observation time match in thesearch.
 2. The data communication system according to claim 1, whereinthe actual world event comprises an audio signal having a particularwaveform pattern.
 3. The data communication system according to claim 1,wherein the actual world event comprises a visible light having aparticular waveform pattern.
 4. The data communication system accordingto claim 1, wherein the actual world event comprises a shock waveapplied to each communication partner at the same time.
 5. A datacommunication method for establishing data communications between afirst device and a second device via a communication medium, the datacommunication method comprising: generating and detecting an actualworld event, wherein the second device exists in a same space as thefirst device, and the actual world event is generated and detected inthe same space, wherein the first device applies the actual world eventto the second device in order to specify the second device as acommunication partner; storing, by the first device, a first record ofthe generated and detected actual world event, the first recordincluding a set of wave patterns of the actual world event or a set ofwaveform patterns of the actual world event and an observation time ofthe actual world event; detecting, by the second device, the actualworld event; and storing, by the second device, a second record of thedetected actual world event, the second record including the set of wavepatterns of the actual world event or the set of waveform patterns ofthe actual world event and the observation time of the actual worldevent; wherein a file is selected at the first device for transmission,and wherein specifying the second device as the communication partnercomprises the first device searching for the second device storing arecord including the same one or more wave patterns or waveform patternsor the same observation time as the first record, and wherein the seconddevice receives the file if the wave patterns or the waveform patternsor the observation time match in the search.
 6. The data communicationmethod according to claim 5, wherein the actual world event comprises anaudio signal having a particular waveform pattern.
 7. The datacommunication method according to claim 5, wherein the actual worldevent comprises a visible light having a particular waveform pattern. 8.The data communication method according to claim 5, wherein the actualworld event comprises a shock wave applied to each communication partnerat the same time.
 9. A first data communication apparatus for performingdata communications for identifying a second data communicationapparatus as a communication partner from a plurality of othercommunication apparatuses to communicate via a communication medium, thefirst data communication apparatus comprising: a processor and a memory;event generating means for generating an actual world event by the firstdata communication apparatus and event detecting means for detecting anactual world event generated outside of the first data communicationapparatus, the same actual world event also being detected and a recordof a set of wave patterns of the actual world event or a set of waveformpatterns of the actual world event and an observation time of the actualworld event being saved by the second data communication apparatus thatexists in the same space as the first data communication apparatus, andthe actual world event being generated and detected in a same space; aselection means for selecting a file for transfer by the first datacommunication apparatus; actual world event storing means for storing arecord of the actual world event, the record including the set of wavepatterns of the actual world event or the set of waveform patterns ofthe actual world event and the observation time of the actual worldevent; and searching means for specifying the second data communicationapparatus which has a record of the same actual world event or the sameevent observation time of the actual world event saved by the actualworld event storing means as a communication partner by searching theplurality of other communication apparatuses, wherein the searchingmeans for specifying the second data communication apparatus searchesthe communication medium for the second data communication apparatusstoring a record including the same one or more wave patterns orwaveform patterns or the same event observation time as the actual worldevent, such that the second data communication receives the file whenthere is a match.
 10. The data communication apparatus according toclaim 9, wherein the actual world event comprises an audio signal havinga particular waveform pattern.
 11. The data communication apparatusaccording to claim 9, wherein the actual world event comprises a visiblelight having a particular waveform pattern.
 12. The data communicationapparatus according to claim 9, wherein the actual world event comprisesa shock wave.
 13. A data communication method for performing datacommunications including a first data communication apparatus foridentifying a second data communication apparatus as a communicationpartner from a plurality of other communication apparatuses to transfera file via a communication medium, the data communication methodcomprising the steps of: generating an actual world event by the firstdata communication apparatus or detecting by the first datacommunication apparatus, an actual world event generated outside of thefirst data communication apparatus, the same actual world event alsobeing detected and a record of a set of wave patterns of the actualworld event or a set of waveform patterns of the actual world event andan observation time of the actual world event saved by the second datacommunication apparatus that exists in the same space as the first datacommunication apparatus, the actual world event being generated anddetected in a same space; storing, by the first data communicationapparatus, a record of the set of wave patterns of the actual worldevent or the set of waveform patterns of the actual world event and theobservation time of the actual world event; transmitting a transmissionfile from the first data communication apparatus to the second datacommunication apparatus, the transmission file including attachedthereto a record of the wave patterns of the actual world event orwaveform patterns of the actual world event; determining that the firstdata communication apparatus and the second data communication apparatusboth store a record of the same actual world event by searching whetherthe second data communication apparatus stores a same actual world eventrecord or a same event observation time stored in the first datacommunication apparatus; and receiving the file by the second datacommunication apparatus based on the determination that the first datacommunication apparatus and second data communication apparatus bothstore the record of the same actual world event or the same eventobservation time of the actual world event.
 14. The data communicationmethod according to claim 13, wherein the actual world event comprisesan audio signal having a particular waveform pattern.
 15. The datacommunication method according to claim 13, wherein in the actual worldevent comprises a visible light having a particular waveform pattern.16. The data communication method according to claim 13, wherein theactual world event comprises a shock wave.
 17. A data communicationsystem for establishing data communications between a first device and asecond device via a communication medium, comprising: a generating meansfor generating an actual world event, wherein: the first devicecomprises: a first processor and a first memory; a first event detectingmeans for detecting the actual world event; and a first storing meansfor storing a first record of the actual world event detected by thefirst event detecting means, the first record including a first set ofwave patterns of the actual world event, or a first set of waveformpatterns of the actual world event, and a first observation time of theactual world event; and the second device comprises: a second processorand a second memory; a second event detecting means for detecting theactual world event; and a second storing means for storing a secondrecord of the actual world event detected by the second event detectingmeans, the second record including a second set of wave patterns of theactual world event, or a second set of waveform patterns of the actualworld event, and a second observation time of the actual world event;wherein the second device exists in a same space as the first device andthe actual world event is generated and detected in the same space,wherein the first device searches for the second device storing thesecond record, and wherein the first device specifies the second deviceas a communication partner when the wave patterns or the waveformpatterns or the observation time of the first record and the secondrecord match in the search, such that the first device and the seconddevice share the actual world event.
 18. The data communication systemaccording to claim 17, wherein the actual world event comprises an audiosignal having a particular waveform pattern.
 19. The data communicationsystem according to claim 17, wherein the actual world event comprises avisible light having a particular waveform pattern.
 20. The datacommunication system according to claim 17, wherein the actual worldevent comprises a shock wave applied to each communication partner atthe same time.
 21. A data communication method for establishing datacommunications between a first device and a second device via acommunication medium, the data communication method comprising:generating an actual world event; detecting, by the first device, theactual world event; storing, by the first device, a first record of theactual world event detected by the first device, the first recordincluding a first set of wave patterns of the actual world event, or afirst set of waveform patterns of the actual world event, and a firstobservation time of the actual world event; detecting, by the seconddevice, the actual world event; and storing, by the second device, asecond record of the detected actual world event detected by the seconddevice, the second record including a second set of wave patterns of theactual world event, or a second set of waveform patterns of the actualworld event, and a second observation time of the actual world event;wherein the second device exists in a same space as the first device andthe actual world event is generated and detected in the same space,wherein the first device searches for the second device storing thesecond record, and wherein the first device specifies the second deviceas a communication partner when the wave patterns or the waveformpatterns or the observation time of the first record and the secondrecord match in the search, such that the first device and the seconddevice share the actual world event.
 22. The data communication methodaccording to claim 21, wherein the actual world event comprises an audiosignal having a particular waveform pattern.
 23. The data communicationmethod according to claim 21, wherein the actual world event comprises avisible light having a particular waveform pattern.
 24. The datacommunication method according to claim 21, wherein the actual worldevent comprises a shock wave applied to each communication partner atthe same time.